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Michelle Manda

Born on 6th December 1964 to Ambassador Isaac Raphael Baila Manda and Jean Juliet Manda (nee Maredza) in Zambia as the eldest of seven children, Michelle Manda is an accomplished diplomat, international business consultant, university lecturer and lawyer. She holds a Bachelor of laws degree obtained in November 1989 from the University of Zambia and various professional certificates in Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution (UN Institute for Training & Research), International Humanitarian Law (International Committee of the Red Cross), Partnership Programme for Diplomats (Korea International Cooperation Agency), Foreign Policy and Technical Cooperation (Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation), among others.

Michelle speaks fluent French, Italian and Portuguese besides English and Chewa. In terms of work experience, Michelle began a career in international relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zambia in 1993 in the Consular section, in 1998 she moved to the department of International Organisations and Development Cooperation and in 2002 was transferred to the Political department serving under the various geographic departments for the next 6 years. There she served as First Secretary of European Affairs, Africa and the First Secretary in African Union and Assistant Director for Asia and Pacific.

It is during her tenure under the Asian section that she was appointed as Acting High Commissioner to Kuala Lumpur in 2009. This was a historic opportunity to establish a Zambian High Commission in that country for the first time in Zambia’s history. The mission in Kuala Lumpur grew from an initial staff of 5 diplomats to 9 diplomatic and technical staff and in 2012 following General elections in Zambia and a change of government, the entire staff in Kuala Lumpur and most other Zambian missions abroad were recalled. Upon recall, Michelle established Alpha Legal Services & Business Consultants, a consultancy firm which offers both legal and business related services. The firm has a staff of 4 in both the legal and business sections offering services such as legal advisory services, corporate services while the business section focuses on business facilitation between foreign entities wishing to do business in Africa, company registration, and other support services.

Secondly, an opportunity to lecture law at Cavendish University Zambia was offered to Michelle in 2014 which she accepted and has been lecturing International Law, Human Rights Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal Writing & Communication skills. Other academic work involve publications, speaking opportunities and hosting workshops and seminars. Michelle also has an online lecture series in the courses she teaches and has developed several course modules.

In March 2020 Ms Manda established a non-governmental organisation to address the promotion and protection of women and children’s rights health, education, agriculture which collaborates with various charities for African First Ladies called Solidarity of African First Ladies with a Heart/ Solidarité des Premieres Dames Africaines des Cœurs.

In the education sector, Ms Manda is a co-Director in an Institute which offers training in business ‘soft skills’ namely ImageXchange Grooming Chambers. Some of the programmes offered at Certificate level are; Business Etiquette, Public Relations, Image Presentation and Protocol. Moreover, she is a co-Director at Excellent Achievers University College which offers degree programmes in various fields of study.

Other areas of interest include commodities trade in which she has engaged in facilitating the trade of various minerals and agricultural products from Zambia.

Professional interests and memberships are: Christian Justice International where she serves as Director for Anglophone Africa Lawyers Alliance, Rotary International-Lusaka Midtown Club; serving as Director for Foundation programmes, Project Girls for Girls; serving as a mentor for girls in education, African Women in Dialogue (established by former First Lady of South Africa Mrs Zanele Mbeki); serving as a member.

Social interests include golf (member of Bonanza Golf Course, Lusaka), Tennis and Classical music. Michelle is divorced and has two children.